Policies and Disclaimers

The Career Development Center (CDC) follows the below Policies, Rights & Disclaimers when providing services and resources to students.  Contact the CDC if you have any questions.

UIS CareerConnect

UIS Student Information Policies

General Student Policies

Student Eligibility and Fees to Use CDC’s Services and Resources

Students enrolled in current semester:

  • No payment due to student fee paid automatically
  • First Day of Access for New/Transfer Students
    • Students get access to UIS CareerConnect during the semesters they are actively enrolled in classes at UIS.
      Summer: May 15th
      Fall: July 1st
      Spring: January 1st 
  • How do I get an UIS Student Career Connect Account
    • You automatically will have an account created within 2 working days after you register for classes

Students not enrolled in consecutive semesters may use the CDC’s services for the semester prior to re-enrolling by paying the required fee outlined below:

  • Use CDC’s Services Summer before returning Fall Semester: $9
  • Use CDC’s Services Fall Semester before returning Spring Semester: $18
  • Use CDC’s Services Spring Semester before returning Summer Semester: $18

Admitted Students with plans to enroll in classes next semester can use the CDC’s services by paying the required fee:

  • Use CDC’s Services Summer before Start classes in Fall Semester: $9
  • Use CDC’s Services Fall Semester before starting classes in Spring Semester: $18
  • Use CDC’s Services Spring Semester before starting classes in Summer Semester: $18

Service Length

  • Spring Semester: January 1-May 14
  • Summer Semester: May 15-August 14
  • Fall Semester: August 15-December 31

Communicating with CDC After Office Hours

When the CDC is closed, the following methods can be used to communicate:

  • Leave a voice message on the main phone (217) 206-6508 with response to your message the the next working day
  • Emails may be sent to careerservices@uis.edu with follow up the next working day

Number of Career Counseling Appointments

To fairly distribute available time slots to students the following guidelines apply at the career counselors discretion:

  • Career Counseling appointments are limited to 1 per day and 1 per week

Appointment Cancellation

If a student is unable to keep a scheduled Career Counseling appointment, he/she should cancel at least 24 hours prior to the appointment by:

  • Logging in to CareerConnect and selecting cancel under
  • Call(217)206-6508 as soon as possible
  • Send an email to careerservices@uis.edu

No Show Policy for Scheduled Appointments

Students who schedule Career Counseling appointments but do not show up without cancelling for two (2) consecutive sessions will be placed on a waiting list for 2 weeks before being able re-schedule more appointments.

Interview Cancellation Policy

The Career Development Center allows students to cancel an interview until three business days before the interview through UIS CareerConnect.

In an emergency situation, the student must notify The Career Development Center as soon as possible prior to the interview. Each situation will be reviewed and documentation may be requested. Students will be required to meet with CDC Staff and write a note of apology to the recruiter with whom the interview was to occur. Cancelling an interview less than three business days before the interview may result in a loss of UIS CareerConnect privileges for a period of up to three months.

Interview No-Show Policy

Students who miss a scheduled interview will lose UIS CareerConnect privileges immediately. Students will be required to meet with CDC Staff and write a note of apology to the recruiter with whom the interview was to occur. Students who miss one scheduled interview may lose UIS CareerConnect privileges for up to three months. Students who miss more than one scheduled interview will lose UIS CareerConnect privileges for up to one year.

By using the system, it is assumed that each user understands and agrees to follow these policies, regardless of whether he/she has read them.

Confidentiality

The services provided by the CDC are confidential and adhere to the ethical standards of the American Counseling Association and the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

  • All communication between you and your career counselor will be held in strict confidence and will not, except under the circumstances explained below, be disclosed to anyone unless you give written permission to release your personal information.
  • Staff Consultation and Supervision: The CDC staff operate as a team in order to provide the best possible services. Therefore, it is possible that a staff member you are working with may consult other CDC staff for the purposes of consultation, training, and/or supervision purposes.
  • Abuse of Minors: If a CDC staff member has a reason to believe that a minor under the age of 18 is being abused or neglected, then he/she is a mandated reporter and must contact the appropriate state agency.
  • Imminent Harm to Self/Others: If a CDC staff member has reason to believe that you are in danger of physically harming yourself and/or another person, then he/she will take protective actions. These protective actions may include contacting family members, seeking hospitalization for you, notifying the potential victim(s), and/or notifying the police.
  • Court Order: If the CDC receives a court order requesting a client’s treatment information for an active litigation case, then the CDC is obligated by law to release the specified information to the appropriate court system.
  • Education/Health Oversight Monitoring: If a government agency is requesting specific health/education related information for education/health oversight monitoring, the CDC is required by law to release the specified information.

Minors Using CDC’s Services

  • If you are under 18 years of age, please be aware that the law allows your parent(s) or legal guardian(s)  the right to examine your files.
  • Before starting CDC services a consent from your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) will be required.
  • Prior to giving parent(s) or legal guardian(s) any information we will discuss the matter with you, if possible, and do our best to handle any objections you may have with what we are prepared to discuss.

Rights and Responsibilities When Using Career Counseling Services

Rights When Working with a Career Counselor

  • Be informed of the qualifications of your counselor: education, experience, professional counseling certification(s), and license(s).
  • Receive an explanation of services offered, your time commitments, fee scales, and billing policies prior to receipt of services. We can educate you on how to find a job and develop an action plan for your current and future job search, but we do not offer job placement services.
  • Be informed of the limitations of the counselor’s practice to special areas of expertise (e.g. career development, ethnic groups, etc.) or age group (e.g. adolescents, older adults, etc.).
  • Have all that you say treated confidentially and be informed of any state laws placing limitations on confidentiality in the counseling relationship.
  • Ask questions about the counseling techniques and strategies and be informed of your progress.
  • Participate in setting goals and evaluating progress toward meeting them.
  • Be informed of how to contact your counselor in an emergency situation.
  • Request referral for a second opinion at any time.
  • Request copies of records and reports to be used by other counseling professionals.

Your Responsibilities When Using Career Counseling Services

  • Set and keep appointments with your counselor. Let him or her know as soon as possible if you cannot keep an appointment.
  • Pay your fees in accordance with the schedule you pre-established with your counselor.
  • Help plan your goals.
  • Follow through with agreed upon goals and assignments.
  • Keep your counselor informed of your progress toward meeting your goals
  • Terminate your counseling relationship before entering into arrangement with another career counselor

Privacy Practices

Understanding Your Protected Health Information (PHI)

When working with the Career Counselor a clinical record is made of your career and educational needs, assessments of needs, test results, plan, goals, and other related information.

  • Your record is the physical property of the UIS Career Development Center
  • Information within your record it belongs to you
  • Being aware of what is in your record will help you to make more informed decisions when authorizing disclosure to others.
  • In using and disclosing your protected health information (PHI), it is our objective to follow the privacy standards of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and requirements of Illinois law.

Your Protected Health Information (PHI) Rights. You have the right to:

  • Review and obtain a paper copy of the notice of privacy practices upon request and of your health information, except that you are not entitled to access, or to obtain a copy of individual notes of career counselor, and a few other exceptions may apply. Copy charges may apply.
  • Request and provide written authorization and permission to release information for purpose outside treatment and health care operations. This authorization excludes individual notes of career counselor.
  • Revoke your authorization in writing at any time to use, disclose, or restrict health information except to the extent that action has already been taken.
  • Request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of protected health information, but we are not required to agree to the restriction request.
  • You should address your restriction request in writing to the UIS Career Development Center’s director. We will notify you within 10 days if we cannot agree to the restriction
  • Request confidential communications of your health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.